Electron-discharge device



Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,531

W. G. HQUSKEEPEIH 1 ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEEIVE Filedv June 7, 1935;

Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,700,531 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. HOUSKEEPER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC I COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRON-DISCHARGE DEVICE.

Application filed June 7, 1923. Serial No. 643,871.

This invention relates to electron discharge devices, pertaining more especially to devlces of this character capable of handling large amounts of power and has for its object an improved grid electrode and electrode supporting structure.

This object is attained by providing a grid electrode sufiiciently sturdy that it may be supported from one end only and proyidmg a cathode supporting structure Within the grid supported independently thereof. A suificiently sturdy grid electrode for this purpose consists of a cylindrical network comprising a plurality of overlying wire helices having parallel turns and having lntersecting turns and a plurality of frame wlres to which intersecting turns are attached. The frame wires are supported from an insulating member from which is also supported a cathode supportin structure arranged within the grid electro e. Because of the rigidity of the grid electrode, no connection is required between the unsupported ends of the grid and the cathode structure, thereby 1ncreasing materially the insulation between these two elements. I I

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 1s a sectional view, partially broken off, of an electron discharge device embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of asection of the rid electrode in the proce'ssof manufacture;% ig. 3 is a section on the line 3, 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is an enlargedperspective disclosing the manner of'attachment of the grid turns to the frame wires.

The enclosing vessel of the device comprises a substantially cylindrical glass portion 10, and a substantially cup-shaped metallic member 11 sealed thereto at 12, the member 11 serving as the anode of the device. A reentr'ant stem 13 projects into the glass portion 10 and is surrounded by a metallic collar 14 which is frictionally held in position on the stem. A plurality of rods 15 are supported from the collar 14 and in turn support a disc 16 of insulating material. A plu rality of rods 17 project from the disc 16 a short distance into the metallic member 11. Welded to the ends of the rods 17 are the frame wires 18 of a grid electrode 19, thestructure of which will be later set forth in detail. A pair of wires 20 are carried by the disc 16 and extend substantially the full length of the anode ll and support a second disc 21 of insulating material adjacent the means of a tie member.

closed end of the anode. A plurality of rods 22 symmetrically arranged with respect to the w1res'20 project from the disc 16 to a point near the adjacent end of the grid 19. The disc 21 carries a pair of hooks 23 and a cathode 241s strung back and forth between the rods 22, hooks 23 and a hook 25 carried by one of the rods 22. v The grid electrode 19 comprises a wire mesh cyhnder made up of a plurality of overlying helices having parallel turns and havmg intersecting turns. Preferably, this electrode is formed from a single length of wlre 26 wound into a succession of helices, the turns of the alternate helices being opposltely dlrected and the turns of each helix being offset from the turns of the preceding slmllar helix. In manufacturing this grid, one end of the grid wire is fastened to a mandrel whlch is rotated while the grid wire is fed back and forth throughout its length to form the overlying helices. The portions of the wire comprlsing the ends of the helices are fastened together by a tie wire while the grid s still on the mandrel. Also before removing the cylindrical network from the mandrel the frame wires 18 are attached thereto by This tie member comprlses a pair of sinusoidally shaped lengths of wire 27 which alternately pass over and under each other, said wires being moved apart laterally until oppositel facing bends thereof engage each other to fbrm interlinkings at each completed cycle, the remaining bends of one wire being opposite the remaining bends of the other. This tie member as shown in Fig. 2 is laid on the cylin:-.

der 19 along a line of intersection of the turns of the component helices with each set of opposed bends resting on theturns of wire at either side of their intersection. The interlinkings lie within the periphery of the cylinder in a groove provided in the mandrel. A

supporting wire 18, the end of which has been pointed, is threaded between the intersecting'turns of wire and the'interlinking turns of the tie member. -The introduction of the frame wire causes the tie member to assume the position shown in Fig. 3, and binds the turns of 'the helices against the frame wire 18. The final relationship of the tie wires, frame member and ,lateral wires is shown in detail in Fig. 4. This completes the manufacture of the grid electrode and after its removal from the mandrel the frame wires 18 are welded to the supporting wires and it is therefore possible to dispense wit an connection between the remainin end and a supporting structure. .One 0 the main reasons for the sturdiness of this grid lies in the fact that each portion of wire be-' tween points of attachment to the frame members forms with a similar portion of wire and a frame member a substantially triangular figure which is of greater mechamcal strength than any of the other geometrical figures. These triangles overlap each other so that a lurality of parallelogrammatic figures are ibrmed by the intersecting portions of wire. This overlapping feature of the wires also contributes materially to the production of a rigid network,

The invention claimed is:

1. A grid electrode comprising a plurality of overlying helices having parallel turns and having intersecting turns, a frame memher and a pair of wires alternately passin over intersecting turns of said helices an being fastened to each other behind said frame member.

2. A grid electrode comprising a cylindri- 80 cal network composed of a single wire wound back and forth to provide a plurality of overlying helices having parallel turns and having intersecting turns, a frame member and a tie member passing alternately over intersecting turns and behind said frame member;

3. In an electron discharge device, an insulating disc, a pair of rods attached to said 7 disc ad acent the center thereof,.a second insulating disc carried by said rods, a grid electrode supported bysaid first insulating disc and surrounding said second disc but out of contact therewith, and a cathode supported by said insulating discs;

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 45 my name this 29th day of May, A. D., 1923.

v WILLIAM G. HOUSKEEPER. 

